Keeping Up With Twins Picks: 2021 Edition

 

After Covid shortened the Major League Baseball amateur draft to just five rounds last year, we’re back to more of a traditional length with a 20 round event in 2021. The Twins have two first round selections and will bolster their farm system with new names.

As I have done in previous seasons, here’s a place you can track each of Minnesota’s selections in one place. The previous drafts can be found at the links below. This article will be updated throughout the draft.

2018 Class

2019 Class

2020 Class

The picks:

Round 1, Pick 26: Chase Petty, RHP Mainland Regional HS (@ChasePetty11)

Comp A, Pick 36: Noah Miller, SS Ozaukee HS (@NoahMiller_21)

Round 2, Pick 61: Steven Hajjar, LHP Michigan (@StevenHajjar)

Round 3, Pick 99: Cade Povich, LHP Nebraska (@Cpo22)

Round 4, Pick 128: Christian Encarnacion-Strand, 3B Oklahoma State (@c_encarnacion13)

Round 5, Pick 159: Christian MacLeod, LHP Mississippi State (@christian44mac)

Round 6, Pick 189: Travis Adams, RHP Sacramento State (@yah_travis4sf)

Round 7, Pick 219: Jake Rucker, 3B Tennessee (@jake_rucker)

Round 8, Pick 249: Noah Cardenas, C UCLA (@Noah_cards55)

Round 9, Pick 279: Patrick Winkel, C Connecticut (@patrick_winkel)

Round 10, Pick 309: Ernie Yake, SS Gonzaga

Round 11, Pick 339: Brandon Birdsell, RHP Texas Tech

Round 12, Pick 369: Kyler Fedko, OF Connecticut (@KylerFedko4)

Round 13, Pick 399: David Festa RHP Seton Hall (@DavidFesta13)

Round 14, Pick 429: Pierson Ohl, RHP Grand Canyon University (@Pierson_Ohl)

Round 15, Pick 459: Mikey Perez, SS UCLA

Round 16, Pick 489: Jonathan Lavallee, RHP Long Beach State (@jonathanlaval5)

Round 17, Pick 519: Dylan Neuse, 2B Texas Tech (@DNeuse_09)

Round 18, Pick 549: Mike Paredes, RHP San Diego State (@swanky_p)

Round 19, Pick 579: Jaylen Nowlin, LHP Chipola College (@NowlinJaylen)

Round 20, Pick 609: Dillon Tatum, C UC-Irvine

Keeping Up With Twins Picks: 2020 Edition

On June 10th, 2020 one of the weirdest drafts in Major League Baseball history commenced. Composed of just five rounds, Major League organizations will add the least amount of talent they have in years. For the Minnesota Twins, their selections will start with the 27th overall pick.

In a yearly effort to keep all of the draft picks in one place, here's your "Keeping Up" entry at Off The Baggy, Take a look back at 2018 here, and 2019 here. This article will be updated throughout the draft tomorrow.

The picks:

Round 1, Pick 27: Aaron Sabato, 1B North Carolina (@SabatoAaron)
Round 2, Pick 59: Alerick Soularie, LF Tennessee (@banditos_34)
Round 4, Pick 128: Marco Raya, RHP United South HS (TX) (@markraya_)
Round 5, Pick 158: Kala'i Rosario, OF Waiakea HS (HI) (@KalaiRosario)

Undrafted Free Agent Signees:

John Stankiewicz, RHP Fordham (@JohnStank34)
Lucas Sweany, LHP Pacific (@lucas_sweany11)
Allante Hall, C Pensacola State JC (@hall_allante)
Zarion Sharpe, LHP UNC-Wilmington (@zsharpe01)

Keeping Up With Twins Picks: 2019 Edition

The Minnesota Twins finished 2018 in a position that awarded them the 13th overall pick in the 2019 Major League Baseball draft. On June 3, 2019 the amateur draft got underway and with 40 rounds to tackle there are plenty of picks to keep track of. With the influx of talent entering the organization it's always been beneficial to keep track of the players in one place.

You can take a look back at the 2018 Minnesota Twins draft class here. For 2019 make sure to stay locked into this entry as it will be updated over the course of the three day affair.

The picks:

Round 1, Pick 13: Keoni Cavaco, SS Eastlake HS (CA) @koeni_cavaco21
Round 1A, Pick 39: Matt Wallner, RF Southern Mississippi @Matt_Wallner
Round 2, Pick 54: Matt Canterino, RHP Rice
Round 3, Pick 90: Spencer Steer, SS Oregon @spenc_er
Round 4, Pick 119: Seth Gray, 3B Wright State @gray_seth18
Round 5, Pick 149: Will Holland, SS Auburn @Will_Holland2
Round 6, Pick 179: Sawyer Gipson, RHP Mercer @sawyergipson
Round 7, Pick 209: Anthony Prato, SS Connecticut
Round 8, Pick 239: Casey Legumina, RHP Gonzaga @casey_legumina4
Round 9, Pick 269: Brent Headrick, LHP Illinois State @BrentHeadrick
Round 10, Pick 299: Ben Gross, RHP Duke
Round 11, Pick 329: Tanner Brubaker, RHP UC Irvine @tanner_brubaker
Round 12, Pick 359: Sean Mooney, RHP St. Johns
Round 13, Pick 389: Dylan Thomas, RHP Hawaii
Round 14, Pick 419: Cody Laweryson, RHP Maine @Codebraker49er
Round 15, Pick 449: Louie Varland, RHP Concordia (St. Paul) @LouieVarland
Round 16, Pick 479: Ryan Shreve, RHP  University of the Pacific
Round 17, Pick 509: Antoine Jean, LHP Edouard Montpetit HS
Round 18, Pick 539: Edouard Julien, 2B Auburn
Round 19, Pick 569: Niall Winderler, LHP University of British Columbia @Windy_16
Round 20, Pick 599: Owen Griffith, RHP Clemson @osgriffith14
Round 21, Pick 629: Bradley Hanner, RHP Patrick Henry CC @1999bradleyh
Round 22, Pick 659: Rogelio Reyes, RHP California
Round 23, Pick 689: Matthew Swain, RHP Georgia Gwinnett College
Round 24, Pick 719: Trevor Jensen, 1B Tulane @t5jensen
Round 25, Pick 749: Nate Hadley, RHP UCLA
Round 26, Pick 779: Blake Robertson, 3B Edmond Santa Fe HS @Robertsonblake3
Round 27, Pick 809: Parker Phillips, 1B Austin Peay
Round 28, Pick 839: Travis Phelps, RHP Alvin HS @Traviee9
Round 29, Pick 869: Alex Isola, C TCU @alex_isolaa
Round 30, Pick 899: Tyler Beck, RHP University of Tampa
Round 31, Pick 929: Max Smith, RF UNLV
Round 32, Pick 959: Bryson Gandy, CF Lurleen B Wallace St JC @_gandy2
Round 33, Pick 989: Kyle Schmidt, C Richmond
Round 34, Pick 1019: Antoine Harris, RHP Chalmette HS
Round 35, Pick 1049: Drew Gilbert, LHP Stillwater Area HS @drew_gilbert32
Round 36, Pick 1079: Will Frisch, RHP Stillwater Area HS @willfrisch7
Round 37, Pick 1109: Adrian Colon, CF Dr. Juan J. Osuna(PR)
Round 38, Pick 1139: Zack Mathis, C San Joaquin Delta College @just_zack55
Round 39, Pick 1160: Jake Hirabayashi, 3B UCLA @JakeHirabayshi
Round 40, Pick 1199: Logan Steenstra, SS Cowley County CC @lsteen0612

Keeping Up With Twins Picks: 2018 Edition

June 4, 2018 kicks off the Major League Baseball draft. With the Minnesota Twins making their first selection at 20th overall, the next crop of future faces to grace Target Field will fill out in the coming days. As players come off the board, the professional careers of hundreds will begin in earnest. Although their impact won't be felt at the highest level for quite some time, this is a big event for Twins fans, the organization, and those now joining it.

Throughout the entirety of the 40 round process, you'll find players selected as well as their pertinent information updated below. Please take a look back at the 2017 class here.

Let's get into it:

Round 1, Pick 20- Trevor Larnach, OF Oregon State @trevorlarnach

Round 2, Pick 59- Ryan Jeffers, C UNC Wilmington @Ryan_Jeffers8
Round 4, Pick 124- DaShawn Keirsey, CF Utah
Round 5, Pick 154- Cole Sands, RHP Florida State @ColeSands
Round 6, Pick 184- Charles Mack, SS Williamsville East HS (NY)
Round 7, Pick 214- Josh Winder, RHP Virginia Military Institue
Round 8, Pick 244- Chris Williams, C Clemson
Round 9, Pick 274- Willie Joe Garry Jr., CF Pascagoula HS
Round 10, Pick 304- Regi Grace, RHP Madison Central HS @rjgrace1
Round 11, Pick 334- Michael Helman, 2B Texas A&M @theHELM_
Round 12, Pick 364- Jon Olsen, RHP UCLA
Round 13, Pick 394- Trevor Casanova, C CSU Northridge @TrevorCasanova
Round 14, Pick 424- Erick Rivera, OF Escuela Superior Urbana
Round 15, Pick 454- Kody Funderburk, LHP Dallas Baptist U @KodyFunderburk
Round 16, Pick 484- Anthony Tuionetoa, RHS Baldwin HS
Round 17, Pick 514- Erik Cha, LHS Cal St. Fullerton @_erikcha
Round 18, Pick 544- Andrew Cabezas, RHP Miami @Andrew35Cabezas
Round 19, Pick 574- Austin Schulfer, RHS UW Milwaukee @FollowSchulfer
Round 20, Pick 604- Seth Pinkerton, RHS U Hartford @S_Pink8
Round 21, Pick 634- Gabe Snyder, 1B Wright State @Gabe_Snyder
Round 22, Pick 674- Jacob Blank, RHS Augustana College @jacob_blank
Round 23, Pick 694- Albee Weiss, C CSU Northridge
Round 24, Pick 724- Michael Davis, 3B Texas Tech
Round 25, Pick 754- Laron Smith, C Foothills Composite
Round 26, Pick 784- Brian Rapp, RHP Boston College @Brapp1327
Round 27, Pick 814- Hunter Lee, RHR High Point @hunterthelee3
Round 28, Pick 844- Austin Hale, C Stetson @halea10
Round 29, Pick 874- J.T. Perez, LHS Cincinnati @JTPerez8
Round 30, Pick 904- Seth Halvorsen, RHP Heritage Christian Academy @HalvorsenSeth
Round 31, Pick 934- Zach Neff P, Miss St. @neffsaid13
Round 32, Pick 964- Ryan Holgate, OF Davis Senior HS @HolgateRyan
Round 33, Pick 994- Denny Bentley, LHP Howard College @denny_bentley33
Round 34, Pick 1024- Dylan Stowell, P California Baptist U @dylanstowell25
Round 35, Pick 1054- Tanner Howell, RHS Dixie St U @T_Howell329
Round 36, Pick 1084- Zac Taylor, CF Illinois @zactaylor15
Round 37, Pick 1114- Luke Ritter, RF Wichita St @RitterLuke
Round 38, Pick 1144- Dylan Thomas, RHS Hawaii
Round 39, Pick 1174- Bryce Collins, RHP Hart HS @Bryce_Collins21
Round 40, Pick 1204- Tyler Webb, SS Memphis @TWEBB8

The 2017 Draft: Where Are They Now?

Tonight, the 2018 Major League Baseball draft gets underway with the first round. As a handful of amateurs begin their professional careers, the event is one of the highlights to take place during the calendar year. After a very good 2017 season, Derek Falvey and Thad Levine won't have the luxury of the first overall pick this time around. Last season, the front office put together what was considered a very strong draft. They'll look to replicate those results this time around.

A year removed from being selected, this day gives us an opportunity to look back on where the players taken in the first 10 rounds are at right now. With plenty of impact talent plucked off the board, Minnesota has been able to bolster the system as a whole by utilizing names from the 2017 class.

With just around a year of pro baseball under their belts, here's where the newest Twins currently find themselves:

Royce Lewis (1-1)

As the number one overall pick a season ago, the Twins hit the nail on the head with Lewis. He's excelled at each level in his young pro career, and should jump to High-A Fort Myers shortly after his 19th birthday. Lewis owns a .312/.359/.422 slash line for the Kernels this year, and has been nothing short of a superstar on and off the field.

Brent Rooker (1-35)

Rooker was going to be put on an aggressive path as a senior sign and bat first player. He was sent to Double-A Chattanooga to begin 2018, and could see time with the Twins as early as next year. The .245/.287/.420 line has room for improvement, but he's been on a tear of late. The power has played plenty for Rooker, and the next hurdle to overcome is plate discipline (59/10 K/BB).

Landon Leach (2-37)

Participating in Extended Spring Training, Leach has not played in 2018. With the GCL Twins last season, he posted a 3.38 ERA across 13.1 IP. He's still settling in on the mound having made the transition from behind the plate.

Blayne Enlow (3-76)

One of the steals of the draft, Enlow has been great in his young career for Minnesota. He's pitching with Low-A Cedar Rapids, and despite dealing with some injury issues, owns a 3.81 ERA across seven starts. He's got room to develop into a more swing and miss pitcher, but the early returns have been plenty promising.

Charlie Barnes (4-106)

Spending all of 2018 thus far at High-A Fort Myers, Barnes has been steady. He owns a 4.42 ERA and has turned in 38.2 IP across eight starts. His offspeed stuff remains some of the best in the organization, and settling in to his other offerings will be key to his development.

Andrew Bechtold (5-136)

Regarded as another savvy pick by the Twins a year ago, the Juco product was seen as a nice bat. He's struggling at Cedar Rapids this year, positing just a .471 OPS across 40 games. Coming off an .829 OPS at Elizabethton last year, there's plenty of reason to believe he'll right the ship. His alma mater Chipola, just repeated as NJCAA National Champs.

Ricardo De La Torre (6-166)

Another EST participant, De La Torre has not yet played in 2018. He turns 19 next month, and will be assigned to another short season team. For the GCL Twins last season, he slashed .268/.341/.359 across 42 games.

Ryley Widell (7-196)

Widell just turned 21 and is currently at EST with the Twins. He played for E-Town last year, and could find his way to Cedar Rapids by the end of the year. He's yet to pitch this season, but posted a 2.43 ERA across 29.2 IP in his first professional season.

Bryan Sammons (8-226)

After making it to Cedar Rapids in his debut season a year ago, Sammons has spent the entirety of 2018 there. He's made eight starts thus far, and owns a very nice 2.70 ERA. Although the strikeouts have dipped to a 7.9 K/9, he's been very good with command, allowing just 2.7 BB/9.

Mark Contreras (9-256)

Spending just seven games in Iowa to start the year, Contreras was quickly promoted to High-A Fort Myers. He owns a .797 OPS in 30 games with the Miracle, and he's continuing to develop in the outfield.

Calvin Faucher (10-286)

Faucher has spent time with both Cedar Rapids and Fort Myers this season. He earned an early promotion, but then scuffled in his first taste of High-A. On the year, he owns a 1.06 ERA with Cedar Rapids in 17.0 IP, and a 7.30 ERA across 12.1 IP with the Miracle. Pushing for more strikeouts and less walks will help him to even things out.

Leach Looks To Blossom With Twins

With their second round pick in the 2017 Major League Baseball draft, the Minnesota Twins selected a right handed pitcher out of high school in Canada. Landon Leach may not yet be a household name on the mound, and it's a position he's still growing into, but the Twins see him as a rotation fixture for the future.

Having just transitioned from behind the plate to the mound in the past two years, Leach remains raw on the bump. Shoving a 95+ mph fastball however, there's plenty of reason to be excited about the Twins prep star from Toronto. Now having signed his contract, he's just days away from beginning his pro career down in Fort Myers with the Gulf Coast League Twins.

Before he kicks off the next phase of his baseball life, I caught up with him to ask a few questions.

Off The Baggy: Let's start with the organization, what is your knowledge of the Twins and Minnesota at this point?

Landon Leach: During my first showcase as a pitcher (at 15), Walt Burrows (Twins Canadian Scout) came up to me and was saying positive things about my body type and that they'd keep in touch in the future. That ended up being true as he's the one who signed me. That was really the first contact I had with the Twins. My visit to Minneapolis and Target Field was just a great experience. It's a very nice city; very quiet compared to Toronto I found. I have much more knowledge now about the organization than before the draft.

OTB: Describe your pitching presence to me. What pitches do you throw? What do you rely on? How do you attack hitters?

LL: This is actually just my second year pitching, after moving from catcher. My pitches are fastball (4 and 2 seam), changeup, and slider. I can reach 96 with my fastball, so I can rely on that. My out pitch is my slider, which is above average. My changeup is still in the making, just need to perfect it for strikes. Having been used to coming out of the pen, I'll soon get used to starting. I'm going to need to attack hitters with my fastball, and as the lineup turns over, I'll need to change looks and use offspeed stuff.

OTB: Being from Canada, are you a Justin Morneau fan, or who are some of your big league influences?

LL: Actually, Morneau was one of my coaches for my team Canada trip. I know him fairly well, definitely a great player for the Twins. I feel like my game right now, my body and my arm angle, I'm more of a Corey Kluber kind of guy. I like how he pitches and what he does for his team.

OTB: In making the leap to pro ball, what's the area of your game you think is going to set you a part? What requires the most work yet?

LL: Most amount of work, like I said, I haven't pitched many innings. Getting more innings under my belt is going to be the early focus. I feel like a strength is that I've played against many professional players having been with team Canada. We've gone to extended spring training and instructional leagues to against guys from the Dominican and Cuba, so I have a good idea what the level of competition looks like. I feel comfortable playing against those types of players.

OTB: What's the one thing you want Twins fans to know about you as a person, and also as a pitcher?

LL: I love when people interact with me face to face. I've had a lot of support in my classroom and school, and seeing Twins fans continue that support would be great. As a baseball player, I'd do anything to get to the major leagues. The work ethic is there, and I'll do anything for my teammates.

Ready to get going down in Fort Myers, Leach is going to be a player that's absolutely worth keeping an eye on in the coming years. As he continues to grow into a pitcher as a professional, it will be exciting to watch the Twins organization help him come into his own. He should be making starts in short order for the GCL squad, and seeing him rise the ranks is something Twins Territorians can get behind.

Enlow Makes Twins His Choice

As the Minnesota Twins closed out the first day of their 2017 Major League Baseball, some heads were left scratching. There was talk of below slot deals and pool money being saved. It came full circle at pick 76 however, when the organization was able to grab (and ultimately sign) high school hurler Blayne Enlow.

Committed to LSU, Enlow decided the over-slot deal (reportedly $2 million) would be enticing enough to take his talents to the pro ranks. Highly regarded as a prep pitcher, Enlow was said to have the best curveball in the entirety of the 2017 draft. Minnesota gets a kid that could end up being a rotation stalwart a few years from now, and the Louisiana native begins his journey to the ultimate dream.

I caught up with Enlow to talk the draft, and his game. Here's what he had to say:

Off The Baggy: Going into the draft, you were among the top prep arms in the nation. What was your draft day experience like? Did you have any idea where you may go?

Blayne Enlow: I had no idea where I would go. I was waiting for the best offer I could get and the first day nobody got to my number so I turned down a few offers, and then the second day the Twins came up to two million and I knew that's what I wanted to do so I took it!!
OTB: The Twins ended up taking you 76th overall knowing they got a first round talent. When did you start hearing from them and thinking that may actually be where you land?


BE: I was on a golf course with a couple of my buddies and then I got a call from my agent saying the Twins are putting 2 ($2 million) on the table and I agreed.

OTB: Velocity is what gets noted first, but MLB.com called your curveball the best in the draft. What does your repertoire consist of, and how do you like to attack hitters?

BE: I like to pound the strike zone and get batters out quick and my finisher is my curveball. I can throw it first pitch for strike too, and I would say it's my best pitch.

OTB: Making the jump to pro ball from high school, what do you feel like may be the biggest challenge? What sets you apart?

BE: The biggest challenge will probably be being away from home and meeting the new players, but what sets me apart is that I will work harder then anyone on the field and I always give it my all.

OTB: When looking at your pitching style, is there a big leaguer, past or present, that you emulate or look to build yourself off of?

BE: I would say Jacob deGrom would be who I feed off the most. I see a lot of the same mechanics and same pitch work.


OTB: Prior to the draft, what did you know of the Twins organization? Have you been to MN or Target Field previously?

BE: I've actually never been, and to be honest, I never knew much being Louisiana grown.

OTB: What's the one thing you want Twins fans to make sure they know about Blayne Enlow?

BE: That when I make it I will give it my all for the city and I will continue to work harder than everyone to try to be the best Blayne Enlow I can be!
For an organization that is always looking for pitching help, Enlow sure seems like he can give the Twins that lift. He'll be a name to watch for years to come, and one that Twins fans will hope to cheer on at Target Field in the future.

Royce Lewis Ready For Life As A Pro

When the Major League Baseball draft commenced in early June, the only certainty was that the Minnesota Twins would make the first selection. There were a handful of names being thrown around as possibilities for the first overall pick, but only those inside the Twins war room knew for certainty whose name would be called. As the dust settled and prep phenom Royce Lewis was the pick, Minnesota immediately had a new name atop their prospect rankings.

Lewis, a star shortstop and outfielder, is regarded as being the most polished high school position prospect in the draft. Noted equally for his maturity as his athleticism, he should immediately step into the Twins system and find success. I had the privilege of catching up with him following the draft, and touched on a few different subjects to get to know him a bit better.

Here's what he had to say:

Off The Baggy: What was your draft day experience like? 

Royce Lewis: I was in Studio City, CA at my grandparents house with my family. We went into the day without expectations, just excited about the potential opportunity.

OTB: Did you have an inclination early in the day the Twins might be looking to take you at 1/1? 

RL: I absolutely did not have any idea that the Twins would select me. I had many conversations with them, however I had conversations with all of the teams. I never doubted my abilities and what I could bring to an organization, but you just never know what will happen, what a team is looking for, or what their needs are.

OTB: Playing both shortstop and the outfield, your athleticism shines on the diamond. What do you feel your strengths are at both positions? Do you prefer one?

RL: I am very athletic with great speed and reactions. Having baseball instincts and the ability to read the ball off the bat well, I have an edge to make plays that others may not at both positions. I have never had much formal training at either position, basically I have relied on my athleticism to do things take over, so with daily training at either or both I am excited to see where it takes me. I love being up the middle because I feel I can help the team at both, however I prefer shortstop because I feel that I am a natural leader and at shortstop I am able to be involved more in the game. The position is naturally a position which is a leader on the field, so I would be able to help the team to get wins and championships.

OTB: Tell us about your hitting approach? Are you a gap power guy, or is speed on the basepaths your thing?

RL: My approach to hitting is that I look for a pitch to drive. I believe I can offer all 3: power, gap to gap, and speed. I just turned 18 on June 5th and have not reached my full potential or growth. Again I look forward to the daily training and facing the best pitching teams have to offer. I feel I am at my best when being challenged. One of my strengths as a hitter is that I am very good with 2 strikes. 

OTB: Making the jump from high school to the professional ranks, what do you see being your biggest challenge? What will help to set you apart?

RL: My biggest challenge will be playing with the best of the best everyday, but this is my dream and I look forward to working hard to challenge myself to always try to be better than the day before. Everything only happens with determination and hard work and I am determined and will work hard everyday, this is what will set me apart. The fact that I am always a student of the game, whether I am in the game or watching others play, there is always an opportunity to learn something which will help better my game.

OTB: Being from California, what is your knowledge of Minnesota and the Twins organization? Have you been to Target Field previously?

RL: I had never been to Minnesota before the Twins organization flew my family and I out for the weekend. It is such a beautiful and clean city. I love that the fan base is so big with Minneapolis, St. Paul, and the surrounding areas. It is great that the Twin Cities have 6 professional teams in one area (Baseball, Football, Basketball, Hockey, Soccer, and Women's Basketball), so many cool things to be apart of and support. My family and I love the state motto "Minnesota Nice." I feel that I will fit in perfect with that as I am a nice guy who will give everything I have to be successful in all that I do while helping others along the way. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing organization. Target Field was incredible, it is one of the best stadiums I have been in and I love that you can maneuver through the downtown area in the skyways without going outside. That is really cool, we do NOT have stuff like that in California!

OTB: Who's a pro player, past or present, that you may have modeled your game after or look up to?

RL: I have always looked up to Derek Jeter because he played the game the right way both on and off the field. I also look to Carlos Correa and Francisco Lindor because they are really really good and always seem to be enjoying the game and making it fun! When you love what you do, you will be more successful at what you are doing no matter what it is and for me it is the game of baseball. However, I really hope to just be me, to be "Royce Lewis" and hopefully one day people will look to be like me because I am a great person and player who makes the game fun in all the right ways. It is good to look to others for advice and tips to better yourself but in the end you have to be you and make you.... "the best you can be"!!!

With a long journey ahead, Royce appears to have a great head on his shoulders, and be well positioned to climb through the organization. As the GCL season gets underway, Twins fans will have a chance to see it begin to come together.

The Dust Settles On The Twins Draft

Three days and 41 selections later, the Minnesota Twins have concluded their 2017 Major League Baseball draft. Owning the first pick, and being the first team to do so while leading their division since they were in the same spot in 2001, the Twins found themselves in a good spot. Now with the war room disassembled and the picks made, it's hard not to be excited about what Derek Falvey and Thad Levine did in their first crack from the director's chair.

Starting off with the first overall pick, the front office had a clear plan, and it appears they executed it. I opined multiple times on Twitter that the Twins wouldn't spend over $7m regardless of who they took at 1/1. With Royce Lewis, they get an elite athlete that could stick at short, and his the upside of a big league All Star for years to come. In taking him above projection, Minnesota banked slot value to disperse to a few other picks.

Although the Twins would never suggest that it was McKay, Greene, or Wright they preferred over Lewis, there's plenty of reason to believe the prep shortstop was their plan all along. His bat has plus-plus potential, and he offers versatility in being able to play up the middle of the diamond, regardless of it being in center or at short. The makeup is incredible, and while he may not have drawn the nod from many mocks, the tools are indicative of a guy with an arrow pointing straight up.

Following up Lewis with another slam dunk pick, I'm a huge fan of what the Twins did in taking Brent Rooker. After having the privilege to get to know him a bit better, the mentality matches the output. He not only puts up incredible numbers with his bat, but he puts in the work and understanding to have the know-how to keep it going.

Sure, Rooker is going to have to settle into a position (most likely LF or 1B), and he's a bit older at 23. Neither of those things should deter Twins fans though when the guy does what he does at the plate. I'd imagine he'll be assigned to Cedar Rapids from the get go, and we could see him at Target Field sometime in late-2018. Rooker should immediately slot into the Twins top 5 or 6 prospects, and his bat alone makes him a high value pick just outside of the first round.

I won't pretend to know a ton about Canadian right-hander Landon Leach, but I think he has the potential to be a nice arm for the Twins. He drew steam late in the draft process, and sounds like his stuff has the ability to tick upwards while already being relatively strong with command. Touching 95 now as a prep arm, that's a number that should only increase as he continues to grow into his frame.

Thanks to the plan working out in regards to Lewis and positioning, Minnesota found themselves able to select Blayne Enlow and pay him over slot to turn away from a commitment to LSU. He's arguably one of the top arms in the draft, and even higher among those only in the prep ranks. Yes, it'll take time for him to rise through the system, but he gives the Twins another potential top-of-the-rotation type to add to the organization. MLB.com called Enlow's curveball the best in the draft, and he has a fastball that can get big league hitters out.

Looking at the rest of the draft from a more top down view, I really like the Andrew Bechtold pick in Round 5. He's a strong third basemen that can absolutely hit, and he comes from a Chipola program that is top notch. More value was found in the 6th Round when Minnesota grabbed Ricardo De La Torre. He didn't have a good year, and fell, but getting a one-time first round potential pick this late is great.

The group as a whole did have some surprises. I'm not too terribly shocked that the Twins went college heavy, and where they did go with prep players, the ceiling remains very high. Just three left handed pitchers was a bit low for my liking, but the organization may not have had too many on their radar. I also thought waiting until the 17th round to grab the first catcher was somewhat of a shock, but this draft didn't have a ton of great options there either.

All in all, the Twins should walk away from this class feeling accomplished. Of their first seven or so selections, three or four should slot in among their top 10 prospects in the organization. I'd imagine all will have a place in the top 20, and Royce Lewis immediately becomes the Twins second best prospect for me. I plan on revisiting the top 15 prospect list in the coming weeks, but this club added value back into an organization that needed it.

Right now, it doesn't matter how many young shortstops the Twins have. It doesn't matter how few pitchers they can turn to. Honestly, the biggest thing that needed to happen in the draft, was Minnesota rejuvenate the farm, and they did that. Adding young, high ceiling, talent always has to be the goal. Figuring out how to utilize it, whether that being through trades or otherwise, can always come later. In their first go round, both Falvey and Levine should feel good about what took place.

Hailing From State, Twins Pick Brent Rooker

With their second pick in the 2017 Major League Baseball draft, the Minnesota Twins selected Brent Rooker from Mississippi State. He's one of the most exciting hitters in the country, and he's a guy the Twins targeted in 2016 as well. I had the opportunity to catch up with him, and get a little more insight into the process and his game.

Rooker was absolutely incredible for the Bulldogs this season. He batted a robust .387/.495/.810 along with 30 doubles, three triples, 23 homers, 82 RBI, and a solid 58/48 K/BB rate. Playing in the SEC, he was raking against some of the best pitchers in the nation, on a nightly basis. After heading back to college following a 38th round selection by Minnesota a year ago, he became a Twin with the 35th overall pick.

I reached out to Brent and had a few questions for him. Prior to him signing on the dotted line for the Twins and heading to his first stop as a pro, here's a little insight into the newest Twins slugger.

Off The Baggy: You've been drafted by the Twins each of the last two years. Obviously the 30 plus round jump says plenty, but what do you see as the biggest difference in you as a player now compared to a year ago?

Brent Rooker: I really grew and matured as a hitter. I have a sense of how to formulate advanced game plans pitch by pitch, which gives me the best chance to be successful. The conviction to a specific plan and ability to execute that plan is something that I struggled with last year. 

OTB: At Mississippi State, you put up video game like numbers at the plate. Explain your approach to hitting, and what you see as being the most challenging at the next level?

BR: I like to be aggressive in the box and look to do damage with every swing. I think my power is my best tool and I need to do everything I can to utilize it as much as possible. Obviously the higher you make it in baseball the better the arms get, so just being able to continue to adjust and compete with elite arms is gonna be a big key.

OTB: Coming off a successful 2017 season with the Bulldogs, what has most prepared you to make the jump to the professional level?

BR: The daily grind of the SEC is something that I was very blessed to be able to be a part of. It's the best conference in the country and we see top 3 round arms every single weekend. It's that kind of competition that I think has really prepared me for pro ball.

OTB: It's the batting numbers that pop off the page, but what are some of the other aspects of your game you think set you apart?

BR: I think my mental preparation allows me to have a lot of success. I take scouting reports and game planning for pitchers very seriously as well as focusing on putting my self in the best mental state for success.

OTB: What do you know about the Twins organization? Have you been to Target Field, or Minnesota in general?

BR: I've never been to Minnesota but I know that it's an outstanding organization with tons of talent from top to bottom. I couldn't be more excited to get started.

OTB: The Twins tweeted out a video of you getting the call, what was the draft experience like for you?

BR: The draft experience was amazing. Being surrounded by my friends and family when I got that call and fulfilled a lifelong dream was a surreal moment that I'll never forget. 

Congratulations again to Brent, and this begins the start of what should be a long and exciting professional career.

Keeping Up With Twins Picks

The 2017 Major League Baseball draft is well underway, and the Minnesota Twins are working towards building up their farm system. Looking for impact players that turn into long term prospects, Derek Falvey and Thad Levine get their first shot at running the show. Through the process, it's the players selected that watch their lives change in an instant, and keeping up with them is what makes this process fun.

As the draft continues, and eventually concludes, you'll be able to find the names, schools, and channels to connect with these future Twins right here. Welcome them to Twins Territory, get to know their story, and dive into how they can help the organization take the next step.

Here we go...

Round 1, Pick 1- Royce Lewis SS JSerra Catholic High School Interview
Competitive Balance A, Pick 35- Brent Rooker OF Mississippi State @Brent_Rooker19 Interview
Round 2, Pick 37- Landon Leach RHP Pickering High School @l_leach Interview
Round 3, Pick 76- Blayne Enlow RHP St. Amant High School @BlayneBlaynee Interview
Round 4, Pick 106- Charlie Barnes LHP Clemson @charliebarnes5
Round 5, Pick 136- Andrew Bechtold 3B Chipola College @bechtold5
Round 6, Pick 166- Ricardo De La Torre SS Puerto Rico Baseball Academy @rdelatorre_1
Round 7, Pick 196- Ryley Widell LHP Central Arizona College @ryleyr002
Round 8, Pick 226- Bryan Sammons LHP Western Carolina @bryan_sammons32
Round 9, Pick 256- Mark Contreras OF UC Riverside
Round 10, Pick 286- Calvin Faucher RHP UC Irvine
Round 11, Pick 316- Gabriel Rodriguez OF Adela Rolon Fuentes
Round 12, Pick 346- Bailey Ober RHP College of Charleston @baileyOB_17
Round 13, Pick 376- Jared Akins OF Fresno State @jaredalexanderr
Round 14, Pick 406- Derek Molina RHP Merced Col @_derekmolina22
Round 15, Pick 436- Rickey Ramirez RHP Fresno State
Round 16, Pick 466- Cade Smith RHP Mennonite Educational Inst
Round 17, Pick 496- Andrew Cosgrove C North Carolina State @thekidcosgrove
Round 18, Pick 526- Colton Burns CF UC Santa Barbara @Coltonburnss
Round 19, Pick 556- Jordan Gore SS Coastal Carolina @jordangore3
Round 20, Pick 586- Tyler Gray RHP U Central Arkansas @tgray08
Round 21, Pick 616- Colton Waltner C University of San Diego @ColtonWaltner25
Round 22, Pick 646- Christian Broussard RHP Cal St Los Angeles
Round 23, Pick 676- Jared Finkel RHP Iona Col
Round 24, Pick 706- T.J. Dixon OF Samford U @tdixon_2
Round 25, Pick 736- Carson Crites 2B Southeastern Louisiana U @CarsonCrites
Round 26, Pick 766- Jordan Spicer RHP Polk State College @IAMJaySpice
Round 27, Rick 796- Chandler Taylor RF Alabama @7aylor_Made
Round 28, Pick 826- Joe Record RHP UC Santa Barbara @JoeRecord_
Round 29, Pick 856- Griffin Roberts RHP Wake Forest @Griff_Roberts
Round 30, Pick 886- Alex Robles RHP Austin Peay @R_Alex5
Round 31, Pick 916- Luke Miller 3B Indiana
Round 32, Pick 946- Nick Brown RHP Col of William and Mary
Round 33, Pick 976- J.J. Robinson 1B Lewis-Clark St Col
Round 34, Pick 1006- Max Meyer RHP Woodbury High School @mxmeyer22
Round 35, Pick 1036- Adam Oviedo SS Alvarado High School @adam_oviedo
Round 36, Pick 1066- Josh McMinn RHP Oral Roberts U @JoshM_OK
Round 37, Pick 1096- Patrick Bailey C Wesleyan Christian Academy
Round 38, Pick 1126- Benjamin Rodriguez C Pepperdine U
Round 39, Pick 1156- Jonny DeLuca OF Agoura High School
Round 40, Pick 1186- Austin Bizzle RHP Alabama St U @BizNasty_8

Twins Can Make Wright Choice In Draft

The Minnesota Twins hold the number one overall pick in the upcoming Major League Baseball amateur draft. That much has been true since the conclusion of the 2016 season. What remains up in the air, is exactly who will hear their name called first on June 12. While we've heard about high school phenom Hunter Greene, and Louisville star Brendan McKay, it could be Vandy pitcher Kyle Wright that was the correct choice all along.

Much has been made about both Hunter Greene and Brendan McKay in the months leading up to the draft. Greene has a fastball that has topped out at triple digits, and he can play a solid shortstop as well. McKay may be the best college pitcher, as well as hitter, and a team has to decide what way to develop him. Both have some serious concerns though.

The flame out rate for high school arms is incredible, and while Greene has the velocity, the development arc for his body, let alone his repertoire, is an immense uphill battle. For McKay, the dominance on the mound comes more in the form of pitchability, as he doesn't have lightning stuff. He's also great at the plate, but suggesting either player with the notion that they have two-way abilities is a fool's errand. Reality says that both will be selected as pitchers, and banking on what they can do at that plate is a fall back option you shouldn't even be considering with a pick that high.

If Greene has a ceiling that's at the top of this class, he has a floor that is somewhere below the basement. McKay is a nice choice and could be a very solid pro, but he's probably never going to justify being tabbed at one overall. If you want to grab someone that splits things down the middle, Vanderbilt's Kyle Wright may absolutely be the Twins best bet.

Wright, a Junior at Vanderbilt from Huntsville, Alabama, had a tough start to his 2017 season. He's since been on a tear, giving up just 12 hits, five earned runs, and a 51/7 K/BB ratio over his last five starts (39.2 IP). On the season, Wright owns a 3.06 ERA across 13 starts (82.1 IP) and owns a 93/26 K/BB ratio. Opposing hitters are batting just .206 off of him, and he's been the premier arm for one of the best baseball programs in the country.

Where McKay throws low 90s on the mound, Wright can sit 95-97 mph with good secondary pitches as well. He has a strong breaking ball and does compliment his fastball with a serviceable changeup. At this point, scouts seem to agree that Wright would have no less than three capable pitches at the next level, a must if he's going to continue as a starter.

Regardless of what decision any team makes during the MLB draft, a lot of expectations are based upon projections becoming reality. If you have to live with that notion, finding a good mix of ceiling, floor, and belief is a must. Whereas Hunter Greene has a very high probability of flaming out, and Brendan McKay has a low probability of being something extraordinary, Wright could give the Twins the option they would most covet.

Never in baseball do teams draft for need. The developmental arc for amateur players is too significant to make decisions looking for immediate impact. There's never going to be a time that pitching isn't at a premium though, and Minnesota adding a potential top tier arm to the organization is hardly a bad step. The decision will remain fluid right up until the day of the draft (which is now less than a month away), but if I'm the Twins, Kyle Wright is who I want.

Does Top Pick Territory Salvage Season?

If you're still following along with the Twins, you've nearly made it through the 2016 Major League Baseball season. Just 19 games remain, and Minnesota needs to win 10 of them to avoid 100 losses for just the second time in franchise history, and first since 1982. To be sure, a year full of losing is far from fun, but does a top pick in the upcoming draft make it feel any less gloomy?

Baseball is a different beast than basketball and football. While the top pick in the draft holds immense value, it generally isn't realized at the top level for at least a year or two, and the draft itself doesn't take place until well into the next season. For Minnesota, plenty will change by the time June 2017 comes around.

With Terry Ryan fired midway through the current 162 game schedule, Jim Pohlad and Dave St. Peter are in the process of finding a replacement head honcho (or, as we've learned, a duo). The Twins will have a new Head of Baseball Operations, as well as a new General Manager by the time the 2017 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft rolls around. Paul Molitor may very well be gone, and the hope would be that the on field product shows significantly better than it has this season.

For Minnesota, 2016 was another year of the prospect. Miguel Sano, Byron Buxton, Jose Berrios, and even Byungho Park were supposed to lead this group. Instead, their were injuries, failed expectations, and regression for what can be described as the Twins future. Although the offense was expected to carry this club, it was nowhere to be seen out of the gate.

Now with the writing already on the wall, the only thing left for the Twins to do is finish. It's largely understood what has all taken place for Paul Molitor's club this season. What's next is what comes as a result of the final standings. If the year were to end today, that would include the Twins drafting first overall next June.

The Braves currently are two games clear of the Twins when it comes to record. I'm not sure there's a determination to "tank" as there may be in other sports, but Minnesota could have their choice if things stand pat. By the looks of most national experts, there doesn't appear to be a consensus top pick in the upcoming draft. Undoubtedly there's a few names that will rise to the top, but all will have their detractors (however slight they may be).

Unlike in sports such as basketball or football, it's hard to suggest that a first overall pick gives something back to such a horrendous season. Mentioned on the broadcast during the recent Cubs and Astros series, you can bet that Houston wishes they would've selected Kris Bryant over Mark Appel with their recent first overall pick. The stories of the big miss are many, and the sure thing first selection are few and far between.

When it comes down to it, the Twins won't have much to hang their hats on as the 2016 dust settles. The first overall pick is definitely an exciting and welcomed consolation prize, but it will be in the hiring of front office executives, and the retooling of the organization that the true forward progress is felt.

Reality probably suggests that the Twins did this to themselves. They stuck by Terry Ryan and his country club ways for a little bit too long, and it has the year ending with some significant emptiness. His parting gift will likely end up being a top three draft pick, but if Minnesota is looking to hang their hats on something, expecting it to be a relative unknown is probably not a good proposition.

When June rolls around, the first overall pick will have plenty of merit attached to it, but how much excitement it generates will largely be determined by who the Twins put in charge of making those decisions.

Alex Kirilloff Ready To Shine For Twins

For the 2016 Major League Baseball Draft, the Minnesota Twins were coming off of a winning season that awarded them just the 15th overall pick. Not selecting in the top 10 for the first time in a while, Minnesota had a few options that would be presented to them. When the dust settled, they ended up going with the power hitting outfielder Alex Kirilloff. The Pennsylvania native has plenty of intrigue, and he's ready to unleash it for the Twins.

Kirilloff's prep career came to an end one win short of a Pennsylvania State Championship. Losing in the title game, you can bet his hunger to get back on the field and compete in the Twins organization remains high. He's likely going to head to Elizabethton to start his professional career, and his bat should be the thing that carries him early on.

Recently, I was able to catch up with the Twins top pick. We talked about his game, the Twins, and a few things in between. Here's what he had to say:

Off The Baggy: Tell me a little bit about your game. Most of the national outlets have described you as a solid all around athlete with a great hit tool and solid arm strength. Likely starting your professional career in the outfield, how would you describe your game as a whole?

Alex Kirilloff: I pride myself on being as well rounded of a player as I can be. I work very hard on all parts of my game. I feel that my biggest asset is my bat.

OTB: I believe you really burst onto the power scene with a recent Home Run Derby performance. Was that your first home run contest and what was the experience like?

AK: I was 11 years old in my first home run derby. I had just started using a leg lift with my swing, which helped me hit the ball further immediately. I beat a 12 year old who was the favorite to win the whole thing. So the only two home run derby's I have ever been in I won. 

OTB: Being from Pennsylvania, I'd assume your a Pirates fan. I saw that longtime Pittsburgh fan favorite Neil Walker congratulated you on Twitter. Who is a big leaguer that you have modeled your game after?

AK: Neil Walker is first class and I now have even more respect for him than I already had before. I like watching Andrew McCutchen, he is a pretty well rounded player himself so I am inspired by him. 

OTB: When looking at the Twins, what do you know about the organization, its players, and the state of Minnesota as a whole?

AK: I know Minnesota is cold...but it's okay, I am used to it coming from Pittsburgh! With three world series titles, Hall of fame players throughout the decades, and great traditions built, I am excited to be a part of the culture, history, and richness of the organization.

OTB: Tell me about your draft day experience. I believe you got to watch it unfold with teammates and friends as you were still wrapping up your season. What was the call like, and did you have any indications it was going to come from the Twins?

AK: It was a great experience being able to share it with my teammates, coaches, family, girlfriend, and friends. The call was a dream come true.

OTB: There's been some talk already that Minnesota may have you skip the Gulf Coast League and head straight to Elizabethton for your professional debut. What are your goals in your first professional season?

AK: My goals are to train, develop, learn, adapt, and play to the best of my ability while embracing the lifestyle of professional baseball. Let the rest take care of itself.

OTB: Let's end it with this, when Twins fans look ate Alex Kirilloff the baseball player, what do you hope they notice most?

AK: I hope they notice the baseball player and person that they want representing their fanbase, city, and baseball team. 

With a great head on his shoulders, it seems Kirilloff already is going to start off on a great foot for the Twins. He is headed to Minnesota this week and then will begin his professional career in the organization. He's going to be fun to watch, and should be another high ceiling prospect Minnesota can add to the farm system. Recently, he was included in the Off The Baggy Top 15 update.

Rortvedt Steps Behind Plate For Twins

The Minnesota Twins owned the 15th overall pick in the 2016 Major League Baseball draft. There were questions as to how they would use the selection, and whether or not a major league deficiency at catcher warranted a backstop being picked. Terry Ryan and his club didn't go that way out of the gate, but they didn't wait long.

With their second round selection, the Twins took a high school catcher from Verona High School in Wisconsin. Ben Rortvedt became the second highest drafted catcher since Minnesota grabbed Joe Mauer 1st overall in the 2001 Major League Baseball draft. Signing recently for just below the slot value, a nice $900k bonus check coming his way, Rortvedt is ready to get his professional career started.

I was able to catch up with Rortvedt recently and ask him a couple of questions in regards to his draft experience, playing career, and what's next with the Twins. Here's what he had to say:

Off The Baggy: What was the draft experience like for you? Did you have any indication of when and where you were going? Did you watch the action live?

Ben Rortvedt: The draft experience was much like the college recruitment process for me. People coming out to see you play and the communication was all similar. I had a rough idea where I might go and where I wanted to go from talking to teams and hearing things, but anything could have happened so I tried to keep my head on straight. I watched the draft live at home with some of my family. 

OTB: Being from the Midwest, I'm guessing you're plenty familiar with the Twins. What do you know about the organization and team as a whole at this point?

BR: Being close to Minnesota I know the Twins have an incredible fan base. One of my high school coaches is a avid Twins fan, and many of my classmates are as well. It is great having that kind of support behind you. 

OTB: As a catcher, you become the highest player drafted by the Twins at the position since Joe Mauer went first overall. What sets you apart behind the plate? What are your strengths?

BR: My strength as a catcher, I believe, is that I am well rounded. I like to believe that I can impact the game behind the plate and at it as well. 

OTB: Entering the Twins system, what is the area of your game you're most looking forward to improving in your first year at the professional level?

BR: Defensively I am looking forward to learning from the coaches and players that have a lot more years under their belt than I do; exchange thoughts on catching and improve my ability behind the plate. 

OTB: At the big league level, catchers can sometimes get lumped into an offensive or defensive only role. You profile as a more complete player at the position. What is your hitting approach like?

BR: My hitting approach is pretty simple. I try to take what pitchers give me. I don't try to do too much at the plate. Always thinking away and up the middle at the plate.  

OTB: Behind the dish, there's a handful of professionals that have made a name for themselves among the game's best ever. Is there a current or former major leaguer you model your game after and if so, why?

BR: Being from Wisconsin I like Jonathon Lucroy. He's a great defensive catcher and very fundamentally sound. I also like Tucker Barnhart from the Reds. He is very smooth behind the plate. 

OTB: Finally, if there's one thing you take pride in how you play the game above everything else, what is it?

BR: The one thing I take pride in is hustle and effort. Always giving your all on the field. 

Rortvedt ended things on a great note, with hustle and effort being things you can always control when it comes to the game of baseball. He'll likely be assigned to the short season Gulf Coast League for the Twins. Obviously being a high schooler, there will be some developmental time that needs to take place, but Rortvedt could quickly become the best catching prospect in the Twins system.

Keep tuned into Off The Baggy and @tlschwerz for updates on Ben Rortvedt's first season at the professional level. Good luck Ben!

Minnesota Welcomes Four To Twins Territory

On Thursday night, Major League Baseball began making dreams come true for prospects all around the nation. With the first round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft taking place, years of hard work would begin to pay off for a handful of deserving athletes. With four picks in the first two rounds, the Twins were determined to bolster their already impressive farm system.

Coming off of an 83 win season, the 2016 draft was not like the past few years for the Twins. Their first pick wasn't until 15th overall, and this draft was one of very few sure things. National writers had Minnesota pegged all over the place with arms and bats being considered, as well as both prep and collegiate prospects. When the dust settle, Minnesota went with four high school kids in the first two rounds, and all of them will hope to contribute offensively.

Here's a brief breakdown on each of the Twins first four picks:

Alex Kirilloff- High School Outfielder (PA)

Here's Alex Kirilloff, whom the @Twins picked at No. 15 overall: https://t.co/L4ppdYECag

— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) June 10, 2016

Kirilloff went 15th overall to the Twins, and was pegged as their pick by MLB.com's Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo. The prospect from Pennsylvania is a home schooler that has had ample time to spend honoring in on his talents on the diamond. He's currently finishing up his senior season which could end in a state title. Capable of playing all three outfielder spots as well as first base, he projects to play on the corners in the big leagues. Destined likely for right field or first base, it'll be his bat that carries him to the big leagues.

When considering his bat, it's already advanced for his age. Twins scouting director Deron Johnson told Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, "Kirilloff could start at Elizabethton rather than the GCL. His bat is that advanced." On the year, Kirilloff is crushing the ball to the tune of a .545/.645/1.000 slash line. He's drawn comps to a slower Christian Yelich, and Max Kepler with a little more power. Minnesota went bat first in the draft, and it appears they may have gotten a good one.

Ben Rortvedt- High School Catcher (WI)

Here's the #Twins latest pick, Wisc. HS catcher Ben Rortvedt: https://t.co/LDczJZ3Lvk

— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) June 10, 2016

In general, drafting for need is something the Major League Baseball draft doesn't present itself for. When trying to project a young athlete to how they factor into big league plans three of four (at least) years down the road is a tricky ask. Looking at the Twins farm system though, catching depth is next to non-existent. Minnesota addressed that by grabbing Rortvedt with the 56th overall pick.

The Wisconsin native should stick behind the plate. Johnson told Berardino, "Rortvedt can throw, hit, really good makeup. He is a catcher. Kid born to catch." A left-handed hitter, Rortvedt is more than just a defensive asset. While he will throw runners out, and has above average receiving skills, he should be looked at as a potential complete player behind the dish. He's going to take time to rise through the system, but the Twins have a catcher that they can begin to cling to if things break right.

Jose Miranda- High School Shortstop (PR)


The Twins have now taken shortstops within the first three rounds of the draft three times since 2010. Miranda joins the group of Nick Gordon and Levi Michael. As things stand, the Twins have a handful of shortstop options all at High-A or below when considering Gordon, Wander Javier, Engelb Vielma, and now Miranda. Of the group, it's probably Miranda that projects most likely to move off of the position. He may be destined for third base in the not so distant future.

When looking at Miranda, Johnson told Berardino he's "not the greatest athlete." However, he does have an above average arm, and his bat should provide plenty of pop. Time will tell how long he sticks at short, but if the power plays and the arm strength continues to be the greatest defensive asset, he should stick at the hot corner. Like most high school prospects, Miranda is going to have a significant developmental curve, but with some patience, the Twins could turn him into a regular.

Akil Baddoo- High School Outfielder (GA)

GBSA RAY& SALEM HS (CF) Akil Baddoo went 2 for 3 with this shot. Lighting quick hands. @PerfectGameUSA @AkilBaddoo pic.twitter.com/tl2btBdvdc

— GBSA Rays (@GBSARays) March 12, 2016

The second outfielder of the Twins draft, Baddoo immediately jumps to the top of the board with one of the coolest names in the draft. He's got plenty of speed and has a realistic shot to stick in centerfield. His hit tool should be considered a strength, and he has hands that get to and through the hitting zone. Easily the most glowing endorsement of the Baddoo pick was a comp from Dan O'Dowd calling him a "young Carl Crawford."

Another left-handed bat, Baddoo could display more power in time. Right now, despite the quick hands, he does have a lot of movement in his swing. Minnesota will likely try and calm some of that down while prepping him to drive the ball more consistently. A great all around athlete, Baddoo should have plenty of things working in his favor over the course of his development.

As the Twins continue on to make picks throughout all 40 rounds of the Major League Baseball draft, the organization will see an influx of talent. Looking to continue to stockpile youth that can lead back to sustained major league success, Terry Ryan and company will be searching for at least a few more diamonds in the rough. Stay tuned over on Twitter @tlschwerz for pick updates and some immediate thoughts.

From Minnesota To The Show

When it comes to thinking of baseball talent hotbeds, Minnesota probably isn't high on the list. The state deals with cold weather and snow from the better (or worse) half of the year. Regardless of Twins Territory being a passionate grouping of Major League fans, the high school scene doesn't draw as much national attention. There are the outliers however; the Joe Mauer's, Paul Molitor's, and Logan Shore.

Sure, Shore isn't yet on the level of a Hall of Famer, and another guy with the potential to reach that rank. What he is however, is a kid from Coon Rapids (a northern suburb of Minneapolis), that has vaulted onto the national stage. Initially drafted by the Twins in the 29th round of the 2013 MLB draft (due to his strong commitment to the University of Florida), Shore did in fact follow through and head to Gainesville.

Now a Junior for the #1 ranked Gators, Shore has planted himself atop many draft boards. Through his first three starts, Shore owns a 0.43 ERA giving up just eight hits and one earned run while walking two and striking out 22 in 21.0 innings. He's got a complete game shutout under his belt, and he's been the nation's most unhittable pitcher.

In between dominating starts for Florida, I had the opportunity to interview Shore. We talked about his college experience, baseball, and what's to come.

Off The Baggy: Having been the Friday starter since almost day one with the Gators, how has your approach to the way you have pitched changed and evolved over your time at Florida?

Logan Shore: I think the approach I have has not changed a whole lot of freshman year to junior year. I have always had the approach of attacking hitters with my pitches and I think if anything has changed it would be that I try to pitch more aggressively now. Coach O’Sullivan does a tremendous job of teaching us how to pitch and helping us understand the mental side of pitching.

OTB: Tell me about your arsenal on the mound, what pitches you feel you utilize best, and what you feel most comfortable using to attack opposing hitters?

LS: I have a three-pitch mix. I throw a fastball, changeup and a slider. My best pitch besides my fastball is my changeup and I feel comfortable throwing that in any count.

OTB: Having been dominant in high school for Coon Rapids, what was the biggest change to your game pitching at the collegiate level?

LS: I think that the biggest difference and change from pitching at Coon Rapids High School to pitching in the SEC is that anyone in the SEC can hurt you. I have learned that I have to make quality pitches to every hitter in the lineup and learned that I need my two off-speed pitches to get people out, and not just my fastball.

OTB: Being drafted by the Twins out of high school and instead choosing to go to college, what do you feel has been the biggest improvement in your game since that time?

LS: I think that the biggest thing that I have improved on is my third pitch, which is my slider. I have always been a fastball/change-up pitcher, but utilizing my slider and truly having a three-pitch mix has been my biggest improvement. Also, having the experience of pitching on Friday nights in the SEC has given me confidence moving forward.

OTB: Looking ahead to the upcoming draft, what do you see as the biggest area of focus to elevate your game to the big league level.

LS: The biggest area of focus for me right now is to get the Gators back to Omaha and win a national championship. After coming so close in 2015 and getting a taste of what it takes to win in in the postseason, I am excited to be a part of such a special team in 2016. As far as the draft goes, I try to not think about it very much. Obviously it is there, and it will be there in June, but I feel the more I, along with the other guys on my team, are focused on winning, the better the draft process will play out for myself and everyone else.

OTB: Pitching in the SEC has no doubt seen you go up against some of the game’s best. Battling with 2015 top draft picks Dansby Swanson and Alex Bregman is solid preparation for the pro game. What helps you face, and ultimately succeed, against hitters of their caliber?

LS: Facing guys like Dansby Swanson and Alex Bregman is difficult. The one thing that I do to prepare to face guys of this caliber is know who they are as hitters and pitch to my strengths. I watch a lot of video and do a lot of homework before each start to learn who I am facing, and have a plan of how I want to attack each hitter. The one thing I can always control is how I prepare, and I feel that if I prepare and stay true to my routine the game will take care of itself.

OTB: Finally, as a hometown kid, the storybook ending would no doubt be a second selection by the Twins. Envisioning the draft experience as a whole however, what excites you most about the process this time around?

 

LS: I am excited to have an opportunity to potentially be selected by a team in the MLB Draft. It has always been a dream of mine to play professional baseball. Being drafted by the Twins would be an extra bonus on top of that. It is a long season, and a lot still to be done, but I am excited to see what happens.

No doubt Logan is focused in the right areas. Working to get back to Omaha, helping the Gators to a 12-1 record to start the year is a great place to be. The winning has come, and as Florida gets into SEC play, Shore will be a catalyst in helping it continue. Focus and determination are equally as important as talent, and for Shore, the trifecta is there.

Likely a first round selection in Major League Baseball's June Draft, Minnesota picking 15th will be clued in on the hometown talent. Regardless of where he goes, success is sure to follow Shore.